Terence and his Companions beheaded at Carthage; Gregory V, the Holy Martyr and Patriarch of Constantinople; Holy Father Theonas, Archbishop of Thessolonica; 150 and more Righteous Martyr Fathers of the Sacred Monastery of Pantocrator Daou Pentelis

Prayer Corner

Vespers Prayers

The Sunset Hymn

Gladsome Light of the holy glory that shines from the immortal, heavenly Father, the holy, the blessed Jesus Christ! In that we have come to sunset, now that we see the evening light, we sing the praise of Father and Son and Holy Spirit, one God! Worthy are You to be praised at all times with voices meet for holy song, O Son of God, the Giver of life, for which cause, all the world does give glory to You!

The Prayer At The Approach Of Sundown

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name forever. Amen. Let Your mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on You. Blessed are You, O Lord, teach us Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Master, make us to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You O Holy One, enlighten us with Your commandments. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever, do not despise the works of Your hands. To You belongs praise, to You belongs song, to You glory belongs: To the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Orthodox Reading Room

Having fulfilled Forty Days... we ask to see the Holy Week of Thy Passion." With these words sung at Vespers of Friday, Lent comes to its end and we enter into the annual commemoration of Christ's suffering, death and Resurrection. It begins on the Saturday of Lazarus. The double feast of Lazarus' resurrection and the Entrance of the Lord to Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) is described in liturgical texts as the "beginning of the Cross" and is to be understood therefore, within the context of the Holy Week. The common Troparion of these days explicitly affirms that by raising Lazarus from the dead Christ confirmed the truth of general resurrection. It is highly significant that we are led into the darkness of the Cross by one of the twelve major feasts of the Church. Light and joy shine not only at the end of Holy Week but also at its beginning. All those familiar with Orthodox worship know the peculiar, almost paradoxical character of Lazarus Saturday services. Read more...

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Daily Prayers

"When you pray, try to let the prayer reach your heart; in other words, it is necessary that your heart should feel what you are talking about in your prayer, that it should wish for the blessing for which you are asking.... Observe, during prayer, whether your heart is in accord with that which you are saying." - St. John of Kronstadt

Sayings From The Church Fathers

When we call upon the Saints in prayer, if we pronounce their names from the heart, it already means that we bring them near our heart itself. Therefore ask their prayers and intercession undoubtingly for yourself. They will hear you, and will speedily lay your prayers before the Lord, in the twinkling of an eye, for He is omnipresent and omniscient

- St. John of Kronstadt, from My Life in Christ: Part 1, Holy Trinity Monastery Pg. 126

Orthodox Calendar

This year, Holy Pascha was celebrated on May 1st. In 2017, Holy Pascha will be celebrated on April 16th.